Ione shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "Calling the police won't help." "What did she do to you?" Darcy's own eyes were red with frustration. "Whatever it was, I won't let her get away with it!" Tears streamed down Ione's cheeks. She choked out, "She said John is her stepfather. And she said she stole your fiancé. I was so shocked and angry, my heart couldn't take it." "What?!" Darcy was stunned. "The wealthy family John married into... is the Moss family?" Ione nodded heavily. "That woman took your father and then your fiancé! How could I not be furious?!" Darcy quickly regained her composure. She held her mother's hand. "Mom, it's not worth getting upset over. If they could be 'taken,' they weren't worth having in the first place. John and Zane are both trash. If the Moss family wants to run a garbage collection service, let them. I don't want any of it." Ione let out a sigh. Her daughter was actually more level-headed than her sometimes—and that made her feel a mix of relief and sadness. Her daughter wouldn't let things eat at her and get trapped by emotions. She'd have a better life than Ione. But men like John and Zane could cast a shadow over her daughter's future relationships. Ione feared Darcy would be too afraid to love again. With her mother suddenly collapsing again, Darcy had no choice but to readmit her to the hospital. On her way downstairs, she spotted a furtive figure lurking—John. Anger flared instantly. "Darcy," John said, rubbing his hands together ingratiatingly. "I heard your mom was sick. I came to see her. How is she? Is she better?" Darcy gave a cold laugh. "Thanks to you and Zora, she's worse."John was taken aback. He was responsible for Ione's initial collapse. That afternoon, he'd insisted on Darcy acknowledging him, argued with Ione, and the next thing he knew, Ione had fainted. He'd fled in a panic. He'd spent days asking around the neighborhood to find out she was here. But what did this have to do with Zora? John looked confused, licking his dry lips. "Darcy, what do you mean? How is Zora involved? Do you know who Zora is—" "Of course I know who she is—she's your stepdaughter, your rich wife's kid. Do me a favor and pass this on—if she dares to mess with my mom again, I'll ruin her reputation for good! Don't think her little secret is safe!" Darcy could let a lot of things slide, but her mom was her line in the sand. She wasn't backing down, not one bit. John's heart jumped. "Darcy, you've got Zora all wrong. She'd never intentionally upset your mom."Sure, Zora had never called him "Dad," but at home she was always so well-behaved. Besides, Zora was a PhD who'd studied abroad at a top school—smart, accomplished. John just couldn't believe she'd do something like that. And honestly? She had no reason to. Darcy had no more patience for him. She warned him never to harass her or her mother again, or she would call the police. "Hmph. I hear you're a VP at the Moss Group. If a scandal like this made the news, how do you think your rich wife would look at you?" John's spine stiffened. Lately, he'd been using client meetings as an excuse to stake out Ione's apartment complex, coming home late. Susan had called him several times, furious that she couldn't reach him. If she found out he was visiting his ex-wife and daughter, his life in the Moss Manor would be over. But there was an even more pressing issue now.Forgetting his biological daughter, John hurried to his car and sped back to the Moss Manor. He managed to catch Zora just as she was entering the house. "Zora," John said, dabbing sweat off his forehead and forcing an ingratiating smile. "Just got home?" Zora knew why he was there. She didn't beat around the bush. "Yes. Just came from the hospital." John's heart sank. He stepped closer. "I heard you went to visit—" He stopped, unsure whether to be direct. What if Darcy was lying to me? That girl seems sharper than her mother. While he hesitated, Zora confirmed it. "That's right. I went to visit your ex-wife today." She smiled, all graceful and generous. "John, it's really nothing. Mom knows all about your life before joining our family. I happened to be at the hospital, so I visited Ms. Ione Gale." John felt like a weight had lifted. The thing he'd feared the Mosses finding out was out—and Zora had said it herself. Tears welled in his eyes. "Zora... thank you for understanding. And your mom...?" "Mom knows too. She understands." John was overjoyed. "That's wonderful! But don't worry—you and your mom are what matter most to me. I was just checking on them. Nothing more."